The Consortium for Development Policy Research held a session of Lahore Policy Exchange on ‘How do women centric policies impact female voter turnout’, on Friday, 23rd November from 3:00pm to 4:30pm at 19A FCC Scheme Maratab Ali Road, Gulberg IV, Lahore. In Pakistan, it is assumed that patriarchal forces fully determine voter participation of females during elections. Low female turnout during elections disincentivizes politicians to formulate women-centric policy in the future, as it does not lead to rewards through marginally higher women’s votes. Therefore, a study was conducted to ascertain whether women’s lack of political participation could be overcome if their political affiliations were strengthened through provision of information related to their chosen candidate’s actual implemented policies catering to women’s needs.

To discuss the turnout of the study the following speakers were invited: